Eun Chan Ahn of Korea upsets lead

Malaysia, Mar 04, 2014: Eun Chan Ahn claimed a notable place in squash history when she beat Hong Kong’s Tong Tsz-Wing in the final of the Women’s Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit 1 to become the first man or woman from the Republic of Korea to win three Tour titles.

The 28-year-old from Incheon was making her first appearance on the WSA World Tour since November last year – and was seeded eight in the WSA Tour 5 event at the Neighbourhood Complex Precinct 11 in the city of Putrajaya, near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.

Ranked 78 in the world, Ahn made her breakthrough in the quarter-finals where she dismissed Australia’s top seed Lisa Camilleri, ranked more than 30 places higher.

After fighting back from 2/1 down to beat rising Egyptian star Farah Abdel Meguid in the semis, underdog Ahn lined up against third seed Tong, the world No52, for the title.

Ahn need just three games to see off her higher-ranked Hong Kong opponent 14-12, 11-8, 11-2 to claim her historic third Tour trophy.

It was in May 2011 that Eun Chan Ahn recorded her maiden Tour title success, at the Black Knight Open in Australia, where she was the 15th seed. It was later in the year that she notched up title No2 at the Indian Summer Tournament in the USA.

Ahn’s latest success takes her ahead of fellow WSA Tour-mate Song Sun-Mi, winner of two Tour titles.

RESULTS: Women’s Malaysian Tour Squash Circuit 1, Putrajaya, Malaysia

1st round:

[2] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) bt Carmen Lee (HKG) 8-11, 9-11, 11-2, 11-4, 11-2

[6] Lotte Eriksen (NOR) bt [Q] Vanessa Chu (HKG) 15-13, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7

[3] Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG) bt [Q] Vanessa Raj (MAS) 11-7, 3-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9

[7] Rachel Arnold (MAS) bt Karman Siu (HKG) 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7

Farah Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [5] Zulhijjah Binti Azan (MAS) 11-4, 11-6, 11-8

[4] Mariam Ibrahim Metwally (EGY) bt [Q] Zoe Foo (MAS) 11-7, 11-6, 11-7

[8] Eun Chan Ahn (KOR) bt [Q] Nazihah Hanis (MAS) 11-3, 11-5, 11-5

[1] Lisa Camilleri (AUS) bt S Sivasangari (MAS) 11-6, 11-2, 10-12, 11-6

Quarter-finals:

[6] Lotte Eriksen (NOR) bt [2] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) 11-8, 13-11, 3-11, 11-6

[3] Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG) bt [7] Rachel Arnold (MAS) 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6

Farah Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt [4] Mariam Ibrahim Metwally (EGY) 11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6

[8] Eun Chan Ahn (KOR) bt [1] Lisa Camilleri (AUS) 11-5, 11-9, 11-4

Semi-finals:

[3] Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG) bt [6] Lotte Eriksen (NOR) 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8

[8] Eun Chan Ahn (KOR) bt Farah Abdel Meguid (EGY) 11-5, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9

Final:

[8] Eun Chan Ahn (KOR) bt [3] Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG) 14-12, 11-8, 11-2. —- WSF